Singapore Parliament on the death of Queen Elizabeth
SINGAPORE — Parliament on Monday (Sept 12) observed one minute of silence as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II, with Leader of the House Indranee Rajah noting that she was queen during Singapore's transition from a crown colony to an independent country.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday (Sep 8) aged 96.
"Her late Majesty was not only Queen of the United Kingdom, but also the head of the Commonwealth, a family of 56 nations across the globe, of which Singapore is a proud member," said Ms Indranee.
"Queen Elizabeth had a unique role in Singapore's history. She was queen during Singapore's transition from a crown colony to an independent state, including when the fledgling legislature that would eventually become Parliament was born."
Ms Indranee added that while the Queen received many gifts from around the world during her reign, "at least a couple" from Singapore "appear to have meant something to her".
On her first State Visit, Queen Elizabeth visited the Rollei factory at Kampong Chai Chee where she was presented with a small gold-plated 35mm Rollei camera that was made in Singapore.
"The Queen was quite a keen photographer, and made good use of it. We learnt this only when she celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary, and BBC carried an old photo of her using the distinctive camera, which some of us were old enough to recognise and remember," said Ms Indranee.
The second gift is a gold and diamond Peranakan brooch, referred to by Buckingham Palace as the "Singapore Shield Brooch", which was presented to her for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 by the late President S R Nathan.
"By some accounts, she wore this brooch more than 20 times, most recently at the opening of the Elizabeth Line in May 2022 for her Platinum Jubilee," said Ms Indranee.
Recognising British High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore, Kara Owen's attendance at Monday's Parliamentary session, Ms Indranee said that there has always been a "reciprocal relationship of warmth and affection" between Queen Elizabeth II and Singapore. The queen made three state visits to Singapore (1972, 1989 and 2006).
"Beyond the formality and ceremonials involved in state visits, the queen took the time and effort to get to know ordinary Singaporeans better," Ms Indranee pointed out.
"In 1972, she visited Toa Payoh where she met Mr Thomas Pung and his family in their HDB flat. They graciously invited her into their home and offered her a drink — a glass of 7-Up. Thirty-four years later, in 2006, on her third state visit, she visited the Pungs again."
Queen Elizabeth's association with Singapore continues to be marked in and around the city, said Ms Indranee.
Queenstown — Singapore's first satellite town, and Queen Elizabeth Walk, were named to commemorate her coronation in 1953, she pointed out.
"Places and roads in Queenstown are named after places in Scotland where she spent time during her childhood, such as Strathmore, Forfar and Sterling. Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok was also named after her," said Ms Indranee.
"We have kept these place and school names. They record parts of our history and reflect our continued high regard for her late Majesty and our enduring friendly relations with the United Kingdom."
Ultimately, Queen Elizabeth's death marks the "end of an era", said Ms Indranee.
"On behalf of this House, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," she added.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday (Sep 8) aged 96.
"Her late Majesty was not only Queen of the United Kingdom, but also the head of the Commonwealth, a family of 56 nations across the globe, of which Singapore is a proud member," said Ms Indranee.
"Queen Elizabeth had a unique role in Singapore's history. She was queen during Singapore's transition from a crown colony to an independent state, including when the fledgling legislature that would eventually become Parliament was born."
Ms Indranee added that while the Queen received many gifts from around the world during her reign, "at least a couple" from Singapore "appear to have meant something to her".
On her first State Visit, Queen Elizabeth visited the Rollei factory at Kampong Chai Chee where she was presented with a small gold-plated 35mm Rollei camera that was made in Singapore.
"The Queen was quite a keen photographer, and made good use of it. We learnt this only when she celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary, and BBC carried an old photo of her using the distinctive camera, which some of us were old enough to recognise and remember," said Ms Indranee.
The second gift is a gold and diamond Peranakan brooch, referred to by Buckingham Palace as the "Singapore Shield Brooch", which was presented to her for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 by the late President S R Nathan.
"By some accounts, she wore this brooch more than 20 times, most recently at the opening of the Elizabeth Line in May 2022 for her Platinum Jubilee," said Ms Indranee.
Recognising British High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore, Kara Owen's attendance at Monday's Parliamentary session, Ms Indranee said that there has always been a "reciprocal relationship of warmth and affection" between Queen Elizabeth II and Singapore. The queen made three state visits to Singapore (1972, 1989 and 2006).
"Beyond the formality and ceremonials involved in state visits, the queen took the time and effort to get to know ordinary Singaporeans better," Ms Indranee pointed out.
"In 1972, she visited Toa Payoh where she met Mr Thomas Pung and his family in their HDB flat. They graciously invited her into their home and offered her a drink — a glass of 7-Up. Thirty-four years later, in 2006, on her third state visit, she visited the Pungs again."
Queen Elizabeth's association with Singapore continues to be marked in and around the city, said Ms Indranee.
Queenstown — Singapore's first satellite town, and Queen Elizabeth Walk, were named to commemorate her coronation in 1953, she pointed out.
"Places and roads in Queenstown are named after places in Scotland where she spent time during her childhood, such as Strathmore, Forfar and Sterling. Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok was also named after her," said Ms Indranee.
"We have kept these place and school names. They record parts of our history and reflect our continued high regard for her late Majesty and our enduring friendly relations with the United Kingdom."
Ultimately, Queen Elizabeth's death marks the "end of an era", said Ms Indranee.
"On behalf of this House, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," she added.
31-35, M
